Compiled by Institutional Marketing & Communications Interns Nye Howard and Marissa Graf
International and National Media Highlights
Business Wire| March 4, 2021
P. Lindley Bain ’02 has been elected Managing Partner of Texas’ largest family law firm, GoransonBain Ausley. Bain is described as a visionary leader who effectively engages, inspires, and influences her colleagues. Bain will become GoransonBain Ausley’s third managing partner, and at age 40, its youngest.
Credit Donkey | March 2, 2021
CreditDonkey asked a panel of industry experts, including Dr. Shannon Cornelison-Brown ’04, CPA Practitioner and Professor of Business Administration at Austin College, to answer readers’ most pressing questions. Cornelison-Brown weighed in on the risk-reward relationship when starting a new business.
Inside Higher Ed | March 5, 2021
Rhodes College President Marjorie Hass, former president of Austin College, will be the next president of the Council of Independent Colleges. She will succeed Richard Ekman in the summer of 2021.
US News| March 5, 2021
Marjorie Hass, President of Rhodes College and former President of Austin College has been announced as the next President of the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC).
WFMZ-TV Seattle| March 19, 2021
Intelligent.com has included Austin College in their list of Top 100 Colleges and Universities for 2021.
Washington Post | March 20, 2021
Professor of Economics Dr. Kevin Simmons explains how the opportunity costs of tornado warnings could be reduced by providing evolving tornado probabilities for specific locations.
Dallas and Regional News
Gainesville Daily Register | March 5, 2021
The Friends of Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge to host “Second Saturday: Birding by Ear — Non-passerine Version.” The program, led by associate professor of biology Dr. Wayne Meyer, will teach ways to learn bird sounds with a focus on non-passerines, or “non-song” birds, emphasizing species common in the Texoma area.
Paper City | March 17, 2021
Now that more people are getting vaccinated and COVID numbers are dropping, Uptown Dallas Inc. is bringing more in-person events back, including a monthly mural, the first of which is by artist Will Harpham ’11, using the nome d’arte Will Heron. Spring Forward, a bold and whimsical piece that looks with expectation and excitement to a less-stressful future, is currently on display in Uptown. Heron’s mural work, under the tag Wheron, can be also seen at Griggs Park and many other locations throughout Dallas
The Preston Hollow Lifestyle | March 9, 2021
Seniors at 31 Dallas ISD high schools have until March 31st to take the Dallas County Promise Pledge to be eligible to receive the Dallas County Promise (DCP) “last-dollar” tuition scholarship to cover tuition costs at participating Dallas College and DCP partner universities such as Austin College, Dallas College, UNT Dallas, SMU, Midwestern State University, Prairie View A&M University, Paul Quinn College, and more.
Local Media Highlights
Fannin County Children’s Center | March 9, 2021
The Fannin County Children’s Center celebrates twenty years with Sandy Barber ’90 as the Executive Director. The board and staff hosted a reception to honor Barber and her two decades of service to the organization.
Herald Democrat | March 28, 2021
The Austin College distance track team saw several members set personal bests at the Oklahoma Baptist Invitational, including Johnny Biffar ’21, who broke the school record in the 1,500.
Herald Democrat | March 24, 2021
Sherman’s Theatricks Director Webster Crocker ’87 will retire after serving with the children’s theater company for more than three decades. Crocker is notable for expanding the children’s theatre program and introducing flying effects into the plays. In the future, he plans to teach at either a local school district or a college setting.
Herald Democrat | March 23, 2021
Austin College women’s soccer player Meredith Harris ’22 has been named the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Week.
Herald Democrat | March 18, 2021
Austin College women’s water polo player Sophie Oliver ’23 has been named the Collegiate Water Polo Association Division III Player of the Week.
Herald Democrat | March 17, 2021
Austin College baseball player Ryan Culp ’21 has been named the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Week.
Herald Democrat | March 12, 2021
Austin College women’s basketball players Reagan Chiaverini ’21, Ally Longaker ’21, Kacie West ’21, and Sarah Gwin ’23 have been named All-Southern Collegiate Athletic Conferenceperformers for the 2021 season. Gwin, a sophomore guard from San Antonio, was an honorable mention all-conference. On the men’s side, Austin College’s Michael Holland ’21 and Tristan Dick ’23 have been named All-Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference performers for the 2021 season. Dick, a sophomore guard from Houston, was named honorable mention All-SCAC.
Herald Democrat | March 10, 2021
At a Grayson County Historical Commission meeting several Austin College professors, including Dr. Felix Harcourt and Dr. Lisa Brown, advocated for the placement of a historic marker in front of the Sherman Courthouse about the 1930 riot and lynching that took place there. There was no decision made by the end of the meeting and it is uncertain whether a historical marker will be placed or not.
Herald Democrat | March 10, 2021
Two sets of Austin College tennis players have nabbed the women’s and men’s Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference Doubles Team of the Week: Gigi Francis ’23 and Phoebe Shapard ’23, and Brett O’Brien ’21 and Preston Spivey ’21. O’Brien was also the SCAC Singles Player of the Week.
Herald Democrat | March 3, 2021
Austin College distance track runner Johnny Biffar ’21 has been named the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference Track Athlete of the Week for his performance at the Hardin-Simmons Invitational.
Herald Democrat | March 2, 2021
Austin College volleyball player Mari Prazak ’22 has been named the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Week after a pair of outstanding matches against Texas Lutheran, the league office has announced. Prazak totaled 56 digs in two matches as the ‘Roos went 2-0 on the weekend.
KTEN | March 16, 2021
Several Austin College student-athletes have received recognition for their recent performance this season. Volleyball player Olivia Linton ’24 has been named the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Week, baseball player Ryan Culp ’21 has been named the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Week, and women’s water polo player Sophie Oliver ’23 has been named the Collegiate Water Polo Association Division III Player of the Week.
KXII | March 21, 2021
A pair of Austin College basketball players were named to the conference All-Tournament teams. Senior Michael Holland was recognized with All-Tournament honors for the men’s team, while senior Reagan Chiaverini earned All-Tournament honors for the women’s basketball team. Both players helped their teams to the conference semi-finals this season.
KXII | March 19, 2021
Bonham baseball star Trystan Mallory signed his letter of intent to play at Austin College. Mallory has been a big part of the success of Bonham’s team over the last few years and says he plans to represent his community well.
KXII | March 11, 2021
The Austin College men’s and women’s basketball teams are getting a lot of attention in the all-conference awards. Reagan Chiaverini ’21 and Michael Holland ’21 were named 1st team all-conference. Ally Longaker ’21 was named all-conference 2nd team, and Kacie West ’21 was named 3rd team all-conference.
Blogs and Online Media
Austin College| March 16, 2021
The ninth annual Austin College Student Scholarship Conference will include a livestream music recital by senior Anna Long and Sylvia Richards, adjunct instructor in music. This is a way for Austin College to highlight the musical abilities of its students and what can be achieved here in music and choir.
Austin College| March 11, 2021
The Western Intellectual Tradition and Professionalism & the Humanities programs present two events that highlight the work that can be accomplished by students in these programs.
Austin College| March 11, 2021
As a salute to women in science, Abbey Goodman ’21 directs Emilie La Marquise Du Chatelet Defends Her Life Tonight, a play by Lauren Gunderson. The story recounts the life of 18th-century French physicist Emilie du Chatelet as she seeks to find out what really matters and to finally know whether love or science is the driving force of the universe. The play, which was presented as part of the ACSC student research conference, was staged in the Sally and Jim Nation Theatre inside Ida Green Communication Center and via livestream.
Austin College| March 4, 2021
Austin College seniors Victoria Gilbert ’21 and Elizabeth Parker ’21 have been designated Fulbright Semi-Finalists by the Fulbright National Screening Committee. Gilbert is a semi-finalist for study in the Master of Arts Program in Brand and Fashion Management at Fu Jen Catholic University in Taiwan. Parker is a semi-finalist for an English Teaching Assistantship in Taiwan.
Austin College| March 8, 2021
Professor of Art Mark Smith has an exhibition of new paintings on display at Craighead Green Gallery in Dallas through April 3. Smith’s new Bobbin Series comes from his childhood and memories of his paternal grandmother, who raised him. Smith, who holds the Craig Professorship in the Arts at Austin College, joined the College faculty in 1986.
Austin College| March 2, 2021
Austin College junior Jessica Hoffman ’22 received the Third Place Undergraduate Research Award at the 2021 Texas Academy of Science Virtual Meeting on February 28. She received a grant of $1,000 for her work for next year on her senior thesis, based on her submitted proposal. Jessica said she works in the field of cancer biology. “More specifically, I want to answer the broader question, ‘Is PA28 gamma required for continued cancer growth?’” she said.
North Texas e-News| March 15, 2021
English Professor Emeritus Dr. Jerry Lincecum reminisces on the Great Ice Storm of 1949 and its relation to the most recent snowstorm across Texas that caused so many devastations.
North Texas e-News | March 15, 2021
Austin College officials have announced the Dean’s List for Fall Term 2020. The Dean’s List recognizes the top 20 percent of students taking a minimum of three graded, full-credit courses. For Fall Term 2020, 243 individuals are recognized.
North Texas e-News | March 10, 2021
Dr. Henry H. Bucher, Jr., Emeritus Professor in Humanities, celebrates Kamala Harris and discusses the progress as well as the setbacks that have been made in the US and how Americans have responded to both.
North Texas e-News | March 4, 2021
Jessica Hoffman ’22 received the Third Place Undergraduate Research Award at the 2021 Texas Academy of Science Virtual Meeting. She received a grant of $1,000 for her work next year for her senior thesis on cancer biology.
North Texas e-News | March 3, 2021
Dr. Henry H. Bucher, Jr., Emeritus Faculty in Humanities, discusses the recent mask mandate and Governor Abbott’s March 10 decision to lift the mask mandate and a re-opening of businesses at 100% capacity.
Unionville Times | March 4, 2021
Akaash Singh ’06 is a special kind of comedian – shining most when he is engaging in banter with audience members. Singh’s comedy is driven by cultural differences, an intense pride in his upbringing, and a desire to challenge the audience. The shutdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has made it difficult for all standups, but fortunately for Singh, some opportunities for live shows will be popping up in the coming months. Singh graduated pre-med, but started doing standup during a gap year and has stuck with it ever since.
AC Observer | March 15, 2021
You may have heard of a new online program on campus called “People In Our Neighborhood.” Every month Austin College showcases someone different from the AC community who has some sort of talent to share. This is a great opportunity to virtually connect with other students, faculty, and staff, and learn new skills. This Zoom series originated at the end of Fall Term with Dr. Erin Copple Smith, and videos of the sessions are available on the Austin College YouTube channel.
AC Observer | March 15, 2021
March is International Women’s Month and this year AC Observer reporter Architha Vijay asks women at Austin College what it means to them to be a woman to gain insight into the ever-changing lifestyles of women.
AC Observer | March 15, 2021
The Austin College Aussies dance team will perform on April 30 and May 1 in Sally and Jim Nation Theatre after a year-long delay caused by the pandemic.
AC Observer | March 21, 2021
March 18 to March 20, Austin College Theatre presented Emilie: La Marquise Du Chatelet Defends Her Life Tonight by Lauren Gunderson. Directed by Austin College senior Abbey Goodman, the stylistic choices to the scattered chuckles from the crowd throughout the show proved it to be a hit.
News ’Roos Can Use
Inside Higher Ed | March 24, 2021
Findings of a new Student Voice survey, conducted by Inside Higher Ed and College Pulse and presented by Kaplan, indicate that students, as a group, are deeply ambivalent about their college experiences right now, but one thing most agree on is a desire to return to campus. The aspects of campus life that students miss most include hanging out with friends (73%), in-person lectures (44%), and participating in clubs and organizations (30%).
Inside Higher Ed | March 8, 2021
In this era of distance learning, many high school students are struggling just to finish classes and have seen their grades dip. What does this mean for college admissions? Some students report that they are less likely to apply, plan to take a gap year, or are not planning to attend college at all if it means “more staying at home hunched over a computer.” Many colleges are adjusting their admission expectations and relying even more heavily on “whole person review” than traditional metrics like GPA, class rank, or test scores.
The Wall Street Journal | March 15, 2021
Colleges and universities around the country are beginning to detail their plans for next fall, anticipating more students on campus, a full slate of in-person classes, and even concerts and cheering sports fans.